The Governors eBook

“No!” she said, “I am not reminding
you of that because I want anything from you, but
listen. Supposing I could help you out again?
Supposing I could give you something for your paper
which would produce the greatest sensation which New
York has ever known? Would you promise to realize
at any loss, and give it up? Leave America altogether
and go to Europe?”

“Yes!” he said, “I think I would
promise that.”

She rose to her feet. He approached her a little
hesitatingly, but she waved him back.

“No, don’t kiss me, Norris,” she
said.

He protested, but she still drew herself away.

“My dear Norris,” she said, “please
do not think because I show some interest in your
affairs, that you are forced to offer me this sort
of payment. There, don’t say anything,
because I don’t want to be angry with you.
If you knew more about women, you would know that there
is nothing one resents so much in the world as affection
that is offered in the way that you were offering
me your kiss just then. Please come and put me
in the elevator. I am going now. You will
hear from me in a day or two. I shall write and
ask myself to dinner.”

He took her outside and rang the bell for the elevator.
They stood for a moment in front of the steel gate.

“I am afraid,” he said quietly, “that
in your heart you must think me an ungrateful beast.”

“Yes!” she answered, “I suppose
I do! But then all men are ungrateful, and there
are worse things even than ingratitude.”

The lift shot up and the door was swung back.
There was no time for any further adieux. Norris
Vine walked slowly back into his office, with his
hands clasped behind his back.

CHAPTER XI

MR. LITTLESON, FLATTERER

Once more a little luncheon was in progress at the
corner table in the millionaires’ club.
This time Littleson also was of the party. He
had been describing his luncheon of the day before
to his friends.

“I am dead sure of one thing,” he declared.
“She is on our side, and I honestly believe
that she means getting that paper.”

“But she hasn’t even the entree to the
house now,” Weiss objected.

“There are plenty of the servants there,”
Littleson answered, “whom she must know very
well, and through whom she could get in, especially
if Phineas is really up in his room. I tell you
fellows, I truly believe we’ll have that wretched
document in our hands by this time to-morrow.”

“The day I see it in ashes,” Bardsley
muttered, “I’ll stand you fellows a magnum
of Pommery ’92.”

“I wonder,” Weiss remarked, “what
sort of terms she is on with her cousin, the little
girl with the big eyes.”

“I wish to Heaven one of you could make friends
with that child!” Bardsley exclaimed. “I’d
give a tidy lot to know whether Phineas Duge lies
there on his bed, or whether his hand is on the telephone
half the time. You are sure, Littleson, that
Dick Losting is in Europe?”